Page 60 of The Highlander's Illicit Bride
“Oh good, ye’re up,” she chirped. “I was hopin’ I wouldnae be wakin’ ye. I heard ye had trouble sleepin’ last night.”
Although Mairi’s tone was concerned, rather than suggestive of anything, Isolde’s stomach clenched and heat immediately rose into her cheeks anyway as images of her tryst with Struan flashed through her mind. Mairi cocked her head and stared at her with a curious and somewhat confused look on her face. She knew it was her embarrassment that brought the warmth to her cheeks, but she didn’t know what Struan had said to his sister. He knew the family was close but did that bond include sharing their intimate details? Her insides roiled at the thought that Mairi knew about their evening together.
“I saw Struan this mornin’,” Mairi said slowly. “He said he ran intae ye in the kitchens, said ye were both havin’ trouble sleepin’.”
A powerful wave of relief flooded her body, washing away the near panic and mortification that had been gripping her. A shaky smile touched her lips and she nodded.
“Oh. Aye. Naethin’ a glass of warm milk couldnae fix,” Isolde said.
Mairi nodded. “That sometimes works fer me too. Anyway, I’m glad ye’re up.”
“Why is that?”
“Because Struan asked that I give ye a tour of the grounds,” she said brightly. “He wanted me tae show ye Achnacarry.”
“’Tis nice of him.”
“He said ye might be stayin’ a while and thought it would be good fer ye tae ken yer way around,” she replied. “’Tis a big place and ‘tis easy tae get yerself turned around if ye dinnae ken where ye’re goin’.”
Isolde wondered if their escapade last night had made Struan think she’d changed her mind about leaving. It hadn’t. But it was obviously his hope. She was just about to decline the tour when another thought occurred to her. When she did leave, she was likely going to have to slip out in the middle of the night.
More, she knew people were still wary of her, being Murdoch’s daughter and all, so slipping away and avoiding running into anybody would just be better. Isolde feared that if she was caught escaping in the middle of the night, it would confirm everybody’s worst thoughts about her. It would make them see her as a traitor. And that would reflect poorly on Struan, which was something else she did not want. It was part of the reason she decided to plan things that way.
Yet slipping away unnoticed would be a lot simpler if I kent me way around, nae wandering the winding corridors of the castle all night.
“’Tis true,” Isolde replied with a wry grin. “I’ve lost me way a few times.”
“Good. So, get dressed, we’ll get somethin’ tae eat, then take a walk around.”
With a smile on her face, Isolde slipped into her dress, then put on her slippers. After that, she splashed some water on her face and cleaned herself up a bit. Before she could do anything else though, Mairi stood behind her and pushed her down onto the bench in front of the looking glass then began to braid her hair.
“I always liked braidin’ me sister Rhona’s hair,” Mairi said. “I’ve kind of missed havin’ somebody’s hair tae dae.”
“Och…” was all Isolde could manage as she didn’t know if she should say that she knew about Rhona.
“By yer expression I see that Struan has told ye what happened to her,” Mairi looked at her with a sad smile.
“Yes, he did. And fer what it’s worth, I’m truly sorry.”
“Thank ye. ‘Tis hard without her. I miss her every day,” Mairi said, her voice thick with emotion. “But me sister was fierce, always with a blade in her hand. She was also very wise.”
Isolde could see the hole Rhona’s presence had left in the family and it made her heart ache all the more for them. Hearing Mairi’s love for her made Isolde’s heart echo with the loneliness she’d grown up with.
“There,” Mairi said. “That should dae it.”
Isolde studied herself in the looking glass and smiled at the sight of her blonde hair, now woven into a neat, elegant braid that draped over her shoulder. “It looks wonderful. Thank ye fer daein’ that fer me.”
“’Twas naethin’,” she replied. “Like I said, I’ve missed it. Try as I might, Finlay and Struan would never let me braid their hair. Now, come on. I’m famished.”
Isolde laughed as she got to her feet and followed Mairi out of the bedchamber. Together, they walked the corridors with Mairi explaining where each one went. Isolde paid special attention to the directions to the kitchens, pantry, and supply rooms.
They walked down a long corridor and into a small gallery that was filled with tapestries and oil paintings. Isolde walked around, looking at them all, admiring the work.
“These are beautiful,” Isolde said. “Who are all these people?”
“Our ancestors. Heroes of our clan,” she replied. “Maybe one day I’ll have me own portrait hangin’ on these walls.”
Isolde smiled. “I’ve nay doubt ye will.”
